Shaft bearing in a watch



Aug. 28, 1956 F. MEYER SHAFT BEARING IN A WATCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 50. 1953 INVEPITOR. FRIEDRICH MEYER 8Y Aug. 28, 1956 F. MEYER SHAFT BEARING IN A WATCH 4 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed June 30, 1953 E E V Aug. 28, 1956 F. MEYER 2,760,332

SHAFT BEARING IN WATCH Filed June 30, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent 9 SHAFT BEARING IN A WATCH Friedrich Meyer, Grenchen, Switzerland, assignor to Felsa S. A., Grenchen, Switzerland, a joint-stock com- P y Application June 30, 1953, Serial No. 365,066

Claims priority, application Switzerland November 12, 1952 1 Claim. (Cl. 58-82) I This invention relates to shaft bearings in a watch particularly for such a shaft which carries elements on both sides of one bearing.

When in a watch a pinion must be provided on a bracket portion of a shaft, the latter is first set in place and the pinion is then pressed onto said bracket portion.

In watches of very small sizes, particularly with selfwlnd ng mechanism, it may, however, occur that a pinion provided on a bracket portion of a shaft would be so small that manufacturing said pinion would be hardly possible and, on the other hand, said pinion would not sufficiently adhere to said shaft.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide such a pinion integral with the shaft and to journal the shaft by means of a collar pressed thereon and having a diameter greater than that of the pinion.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a self-winding mechanism with the upper bridge taken away;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the frame of the self-winding mechanism set in place on the watch movement;

Fig. 3 is substantially a longitudinal sectional view of the watch along line III-4H of Fig. 1, whereby one section has been turned into the plane of the longitudinal axis of the watch movement, as shown by an arc of circle;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the self-winding mechanism along line IVIV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 4, but to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5a shows a detail of Fig. 5 to even a larger scale.

The self-winding watch represented in the drawings has particularly been designed as a ladys watch of very small size, the width of the movement being about 0.4 inch.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the frame of the watch movement consists of a substantially rectangular baseplate 1, a bridge 2 and a balance cock 3. The barrel 4 and the train (inclusive escape wheel), the second wheel 5 of which is shown only, are pivoted in base-plate 1 and bridge 2. The relative positions of base-plate 1 and bridge 2 are secured by steady pins (not shown) and both parts are fixed together by three screws 6. The lever (not shown) is as usually pivoted in base-plate 1 and a bar (not shown), and the balance (not shown) is pivoted in base-plate 1 and cock 3 also secured to the baseplate by means of steady pins (not shown) and a screw 7. The upper surfaces of cock 3 and bridge 2 are substantially on the same level. A recess 8, concentric to the balance axis, is provided in the upper surface of the cock to locate the regulating device (not shown). Bridge 2 is also recessed at 9 concentrically to the barrel axis in order to locate partially a double-ratchet 10, the signification of which is disclosed hereinafter. This doubleratchet is secured to barrel arbor 11, angularly by means of a square 12 formed on arbor 11, and axially by means of a screw 13. Double-ratchet comprises a first ratchet 14 entirely located within recess 9 of bridge 2. An annular rim 15 is provided integral with ratchet 14 on its upper face, and a second ratchet 16, of a diameter larger than that of the first ratchet, is set around rim 15. Both ratchets are definitely fixed together in any manner well known in the art.

It appears from the previous description, that ratchet 16 is the only part of the watch movement, which protrudes from the upper surfaces of bridge 2 and cock 3.

The minute hand 1'7 and the hour hand 18 are as usually fixed on cannon pinion 19 and hour wheel 20, respectively. Both pinion 19 and wheel 20 are as usually set onto the second wheel axle 21 projecting from the lower surface of base-plate 1, onto which the dial (not shown) is fixed in a manner well known inthe art.

Still referring to Figs. 2 and 3, a second frame for the self-winding mechanism is fixed onto both bridge 2 and cock 3 of the watch movement frame. Said second frame consists of a substantially rectangular base-plate 22 and a bridge 23 shown by dot-dash lines in Fig. 2. Base-plate 22 has the same width as the watch movement frame but it is longer than the latter. This second plate is fixed onto the watch movement frame by means described hereinafter, so that two substantially equal portions of said second plate project on each side beyond the extremities of the watch movement. These two portions are located within appropriate lodgings provided in the band of the watchcase not shown.

Two deep cylindrical recesses 24, 25 of substantially the same diameter are provided in base-plate 22. The axes of said recesses lie in the plane defined by the major axis of symmetry of base-plate 22. They are symmetrical- 1y arranged on each side of the center of said base-plate. Recess 25 comprises two undercut portions 26 which define two overhanging portions 27 of base-plate 22. Two shallow part-cylindrical recesses 28,. 29 are further provided in base-plate 22, concentrically to its center (see also Fig. 4). In boring recess 29 two part-circular ribs 30 of rectangular cross-section (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) are provided at the bottom of said recess. A passage 31 of the same depth as recesses 24 and 25 sets said recesses into communication with one another.

The exact position of base-plate 22 relative to the watch movement frame is secured in a manner described hereinafter by a cylindrical steady pin 32 seating in a bore (not designated) of base-plate 22 and fitting a hole 33 provided in a lug 34 of bridge 2. Plate 22 is further secured onto the watch movement frame by means of three screws 35, 36 and 37 with conical heads. Screws 35 and 36 are similarly located within very shallow semicircular recesses 38 provided at the bottom of recess 24 (see also Fig. 4), recesses 38 having no particular signification relative to the invention. Screws 35 and 36 are both set into countersunk holes of base-plate 22 and screwed into tapped bores of bridge 2 as shown in Fig. 4. When base-plate 22 is set in place, its lower surface contacts the upper surfaces of bridge 2 and cock 3 almost over their entire extent with exception of the recessed portions 8 and 9 only. A circular indentation 39 for 10- cating ratchet 16 is provided in the lower surface of baseplate 22.

A steady pin 40 is set into an adequate hole of the unrecessed portion at the left of base-plate 22 in Fig. 2, and two further similar steady pins 41 are set in adequate holes of overhanging portions 27. Three tapped bores 42 are provided each in the vicinity of one of said steady pins 40 and 41. These three pins protrude from the upper surface of base-plate 22, each to the same extent which almost corresponds to the thickness of bridge 23. The latter is laterally positioned, with respect to base-plate 22, by said pins 40 and 41 fitting adequate holes provided in bridge 23. Bridge 23 is axially fixed to said base-plate by means of three screws 43 screwed into holes 42 as shown in Fig. 3.

Two semi-circular notches 44 and an aperture 45 (Figs. 2 and 4) are provided in bridge 23 above screws 35, 36, 37 for allowing a screw-driver to release said screws in order to remove at once the entire frame of the self-wind ing mechanism from the watch movement, without having first to take bridge 23 away from base-plate 22.

Referring now mostly to Figs. 1 and 3, the self-winding mechanism comprises two similar rockable weights 46 and 47 pivoted in base-plate 22 and bridge 23, concentrically to recesses 24 and 25. In view of the small size of the watch, weights 46 and 47 are substantially semicircular disks of an overall thickness somewhat smaller than the depth of recesses 24 and 25. The axles on which said weights are pivotally mounted in the frame of the self-winding mechanism have each been firstly latheturned with two portions 48 and 49 (Fig. 3) of different diameters. Teeth have then been milled at the same depth in both portions 48 and 49, so that there remains a core 40 extending through both portions 48 and 49 of each of said axles. Portions 48-48 thus become pinions and weights 46, 47 are pressed with force on portions 4949 the shallow teeth of which firmly grip said weights for preventing any angular displacement of these Weights relative to their axles. Pierced jewels 51 have been set into suitable holes, provided in base-plate 22 and bridge 23 as well, in order to pivot the axles of weights 46 and 47 as free of resistance as possible.

Two wheels 52 and 53 pivot freely about a shaft or axle 54 pivoted itself in the center of the self-winding mechanism frame. The upper wheel 52 meshes with both pinions 48-48 and the lower wheel 53, the diameter of which is somewhat smaller than that of wheel 52, is driven by a pinion 55 meshing with the pinion 48 that is coaxial to weight 46. Pinion S freely rotates around a fixed pipe 56 set in a suitable bore provided in bridge 23, said pinion being axially held in place on this pipe by screw 57.

The weights 46, 47 are both set in place in the same angular position shown in Fig. 1, so that the momenta of gravity of the weights about their axis of rotation are each in the same direction and add themselves to drive wheel 52.

It appears from the general arrangement of the selfwinding mechanism already disclosed, that wheels 52 and 53 always rotate in opposite directions, whichever may be the displacements of said weights. Clutch mechanisms described hereinafter are so arranged between each wheel 52, 53 and axle 54 that said wheels drive axle 54 when rotating in direction of arrow :c, whereas they are free from axle 54 when rotating in the direction of arrow y (Fig. 1).

It is therefore a consequence of the function of said clutch mechanisms that axle 54 is always driven in the direction of arrow x, whichever may be the displacements of weights 46 and 47.

Axle 54, in turn, carries a pinion 58 meshing with ratchet 16. Pinion 58 is located within a circular hole 59 provided in the lower surface of base-plate 22, said hole being in communication with indentation 39.

Ratchet 16 being pivoted in the frame of the watch movement and pinion 58 being pivoted in the frame of the self-winding mechanism, the required margins for the allowance of the distance between the axes of said gears may only be ensured if both frames are very accurately fixed to one another. The necessary accuracy is given by steady pin 32 which lies on the straight line defined by the axes of ratchet 16 and pinion 58, as shown in Fig. 2.

On the one hand, the distance between the axes of ratchet 16 and hole 33 on bridge 2, and, on the other hand, the distance between the axes of pinion 58 and of steady pin 32 on base-plate 22, may be, indeed, very accurately determined. Screws 35, 36 and 37 may truly allow a small angular displacement of one of said frames relative to the other, because of a certain clearance between the threaded portions of said screws and the tapped bores into which they are screwed, as well as an unavoidable inaccuracy of the countersunk holes in which the conical heads of said screws are seating.

In the construction described, screws 35, 36 and 37 allow small angular displacements of both frames relative to each other without modifying the distance between the axes of ratchet 16 and pinion 58 in a manner which could disturb gearing of pinion 53 and ratchet 16. Since said gearing is the only functional relation between both frames, it appears that steady pin 32 fairly satisfactorily positions said frames with respect to each other.

Both similar clutch mechanisms provided between the two wheel 52, 53 and axle are located each within circular indentations 6t 61 (Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5) concentrically provided in aid wheels. Each of these mechanisms comprises a stabilizing plate 62, 63 fixed to axle 54, and a wedging member 64, 65. Said stabilizing plates keep each of the wheels 52, 53 normal to axle 54, thus preventing said wheels from clamping with axle 54.

erably provided with a nose '78 and stabilizing plate 62 is of indentation 6t).

formed with an eccentric portion 79 (Fig. l) in which the end of a spring 30 is fixed, the other end of spring 80 bearing against said nose in such a direction, that edge 72 of member 64 is always kept in contact with the wall In this case, clamping of wedging member 64 almost occurs at the moment at which wheel 52 starts rotating in direction of arrow x.

Collapsing in an upward direction, perpendicular to wheel 52, of wedging member 64 and stabilizing plate 62, when said member is in clamping position, is prevented by bevelling both wall 31 of indentation 60 internally, and the upper edge 82 of the outer portion 69 of member 64 in a corresponding manner, as clearly shown in Fig. 5a. These bevelled portions also secure member 64 within indentation 60, when said member has once been set in place.

It will be understood that the two wheels 52 and 53 may be provided each with the same clutch mechanism.

When any of the wedging members described before is in clamping position, wheels 52 and/ or 53, on the one hand, and stabilizing plates 62 and/or 63, on the other hand, exert a shearing action on the axle on which said Wheels pivot and said plates are fixed, respectively.

in order that this axle may hold out said shearing action without any risk of breakage, its diameter must have a sufiicient size in the portion on which said plates are fixed and said wheels pivot.

Since pinion 58 (made best integral with axle 54), is

provided on a bracket portion of axle 54 (i. e. on a porportion in which the teeth of pinion 58 are milled (Fig.

5), a tronconical center portion 90, an upper cylindrical portion 91 and a pivot 92 at its top extremity.

The cone of center portion 90, having a very small apex angle, is open downwards and its diameter adjacent pinion 58 is smaller than that of said pinion, Whereas its diameter adjacent said portion 91 is larger than that of said cylindrical portion.

The teeth of pinion 58 are milled throughout the tronconical portion 9t) (Fig. 5) at a depth which is substantially flush with pinion 91.

The structure described of axle 54 allows a collar 93 to be easily passed through portion 91 and pressed along portion 93 until it abuts against pinion 58 as shown in the drawing. The shallow teeth milled in portion firmly grip collar 93 and prevent any angular displacement thereof respective to axle 54.

Collar 93, which has a diameter larger than that of the circle defined by the tops of the teeth of pinion 58, acts as lower pivot of axle I34 and is accordingly supported in bearing engagement within a jewel 94 set in opening 59 of frame 22.

A hub member 95 is then pressed onto portion 91 of axle 54 until it abuts against the upper flange of the teeth milled throughout portion 90. Said member 95, shown in detail in Fig. 5, is formed with several outer stepped portions. A first lower flange 96 serves as axial abutment for wheel 53 which freely rotates around bearing surface 97 of hub 95. Said bearing surface 97 is somewhat wider than the thickness of the bottom of wheel 53, thus wheel 53 being given a small amount of shake in axial direction between flange 96 and stabilizing plate 63 which is riveted at 93 to hub 95 on a portion 99 thereof. The width of portion 99 is equal to the thickness of stabilizing plate 63.

Surface 97 and portion 93 have together a width equal to the thickest outer felly portion of wheel 53. The diameter of portion 99 is smaller than that of surface 97 in order that wheel 53 may first be set in place and then plate 63 riveted to hub 95.

Wheel 52 is set in place after plate 63 has been riveted, and it rotates freely around a bearing surface 100 of hub 95, the diameter of said surface being still smaller than that of portion 99 and its width being somewhat larger than the thickness of the bottom of wheel 52. Due to the sizes of surface 100, wheel 52 is also given a small amount of shake in axial direction between plates 63 and 62, the latter being riveted at 101 to hub 95, on a portion 102 thereof. The width of portion 102 corresponds to the thickness of plate 62. Surface 100 and portion 102 have together (like surface 97 and portion 99), a width equal to the thickest outer felly portion of Wheel 52.

Hub 95 has still a center portion 103 extending somewhat beyond the upper flange of portion 102, in order to prevent said flange from contacting either bridge 23 or pierced jewel 104 which is set in bridge 23 and in which pivot 92 is held in bearing engagement.

Although the lower bearing of axle 54 is constituted by a surface of collar 93, which has a diameter rather large, the friction between said collar and bearing jewel 94 does not disturb winding the watch too much, because axle 54 only rotates slowly.

When axle 54 together with collar 93, hub member 95 and both wheels 52, 53, has once been set in place and bridge 23 screwed onto base-plate 22, said axle is prevented from dropping downwards in the position shown in Fig. 7 by wheel 53 which lies on part-circular ribs 30. Fig. 5 shows the relative positions of the elements carried by axle 54 when the latter is vertical with pinion 58 downwards. Wheel 52 lies on wheel 53 which is chamfered at 105 in order to reduce friction between both wheels. Plates 62 and 63 lie on the bottom of indentations 60 and 61 of wheels 52 and 53, respectively.

In this position of axle 54, wheels 52 and 53 are kept perpendicular to said axle by ribs 30 as well as by plates 62 and 63.

If the watch is then turned through an angle of 180 about a horizontal axis, axle 54 having a certain amount of shake in axial direction together with the elements carried by it, drops upwards in Fig. 5 until either center portion 103 of hub 95 contacts jewel 104, or wheel 52, which is also chamfered at 106, lies on bridge 23 by its felly portion, or both portion 103 and wheel 52 contact each the corresponding parts of bridge 23. In said reversed position wheels 52 and 53 are again held substan- 6 tially perpendicular to axle 54 by plates 62 and 63 and bridge 23.

If the watch is in such a position that axle 54 is substantially horizontal, wheels 52 and 53 are still in contact with one another because of the sizes of the several portions of hub and they still are held substantially perpendicular to axle 54 by stabilizing plates 62, 63 which almost always contact the bottoms of indentations 60 and 61, because of an oil rilrn provided between the contacting surfaces of said plates and the bottoms of the corresponding wheels, said oil film ensuring adhesion between each of said plates and the corresponding wheel.

Even without such an oil film at all, the wheels may leave the stabilizing plates, but they are still held substantially perpendicular to axle 54 by ribs 30 and the lower surface of bridge 23.

This bridge could, of course, also be provided, at its lower surface, with a rib analogous to ribs 30, the distance of the lower surface of said bridge and base-plate 22 being increased accordingly.

It will be observed that there is no force in axial direction, which is applied to axle 54, but the own weights of the parts connected to said axle.

The watch described is also provided with a manual winding mechanism comprising a winding stem (not shown) driving as usually a crown-wheel. The latter which is also not shown, meshes with ratchet 14.

When winding the Watch manually, double-ratchet 10 is thus driven clockwise in Fig. l and axle 54 counterclockwise, so that both wheels 52, 53 are unclutched and consequently at rest.

Various changes may be made in the configuration and arrangement of the parts hereabove described and shown in the drawings without departing from or sacrificing the advantages thereof.

I claim:

Shaft bearing in a watch comprising, in combination, a plate, a pierced bearing body in the plate, a bridge removably fixed to the plate, a pierced bearing body in the bridge, opposite that of the plate, a shaft, a pinion at one end of and integral with said shaft, a collar having a greater diameter than the pinion, said collar being pressed onto the shaft to journal said shaft in the bearing body of said plate, a hub member fixed to the shaft to the side of the collar opposite the pinion, a clutch wheel on said hub member, a pivot formed at the end of the shaft opposite said pinion for journalling said shaft in the bearing body of said bridge, and part-circular ribs on said plate adapted to contact said wheel at its periphery, thereby holding said pivot Within the bearing body of the bridge, said shaft being formed with a truncated conical portion adjoining said pinion, said portion having a small apex angle opened towards said pinion, the greater diameter of said portion being smaller than that of the pinion, the teeth of said pinion being formed throughout said truncated conical portion and the collar, pressed throughout the truncated conical portion, being in abutting engagement with said pinion, a cylindrical portions between the truncated conical portion and the pivot for receiving said hub member, the smallest diameter of the truncated conical portion being greater than that of the cylindrical portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Mar. 17, 1952 

